If you sell online in the UK, you have probably heard the term 3PL. It comes up whenever sellers talk about growing beyond packing orders at home. This guide explains what a 3PL is, what it does, how it differs from Amazon FBA, and how to tell when your business is ready for one.
What Does 3PL Mean?
3PL stands for third-party logistics. A 3PL is a company that handles the physical side of your e-commerce business for you: storing your stock, packing orders and sending them to customers. You focus on selling, and the 3PL runs the warehouse.
What Does a 3PL Do?
- Receiving: accepts deliveries from your suppliers and checks them in.
- Storage: keeps your stock organised in its warehouse.
- Pick and pack: picks the right items for each order and packs them securely.
- Shipping: sends orders to your customers with tracking.
- Returns: receives returned items and checks whether they can be resold.
- Extra services: many 3PLs also offer kitting, inserts, branded packaging and Amazon FBA prep.
How a 3PL Works, Step by Step
- You send your stock to the 3PL warehouse.
- The 3PL checks it in and stores it.
- A customer orders from your Shopify store, eBay, TikTok Shop or website.
- The order is passed to the 3PL.
- The 3PL picks, packs and ships it to the customer.
- Your customer receives the parcel, and you get the tracking details.
3PL vs Amazon FBA: What Is the Difference?
Amazon FBA is a fulfilment service too, but it only fulfils orders placed on Amazon, under Amazon’s rules and fees. A 3PL can fulfil orders from every channel you sell on, with your own packaging and more flexibility. Many UK sellers use both: FBA for Amazon orders, and a 3PL for everything else, often from the same warehouse that preps their FBA stock. Read more in our guide to Amazon FBA vs FBM.
Signs Your Business Is Ready for a 3PL
- Packing orders takes hours of your day
- Your home, garage or office is full of stock
- You struggle to keep up during busy periods
- You sell on several channels and stock is hard to track
- Shipping mistakes or late deliveries are causing complaints
- You want to grow, but fulfilment is holding you back
Benefits of Using a 3PL
- More time to spend on marketing, sourcing and growth
- No need for your own warehouse or extra staff
- Easier scaling during sales spikes and peak seasons
- One stock pool for Amazon, Shopify, eBay and more
- Professional packing and reliable, tracked delivery
What to Look For in a UK 3PL
- A location that suits your customers and suppliers
- Clear pricing for storage, pick and pack, and shipping
- Support for the sales channels you use
- Experience with your type of product
- Good communication and regular updates
- Amazon FBA prep, if you also sell on Amazon
Our checklist on how to choose a prep centre covers many of the same questions.
3PL Fulfilment in London
Prep Centers offers 3PL e-commerce fulfilment from our London warehouse for Shopify, eBay, TikTok Shop and website sellers, alongside Amazon FBA prep and storage. Tell us about your products and order volumes, and we will send a personalised quote.
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